The amount is usually the same as JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance.
We update payment rates for Special Benefit on both of the following:
- 1 January each year if you’re under 21 and have no children
- 20 March and 20 September each year if you have dependent children or are 21 or older.
Special Benefit is a taxable Centrelink payment if you’re 16 or older. Read about paying tax on your payment.
If you’re in financial hardship, you may be eligible for other support.
For more information, you can either:
- call the Emergency information line
- visit a service centre.
Contact numbers available on this page.
Emergency information line
Call this line if you’re affected by a natural disaster and need help to claim a payment.
There are other ways you may want to contact us.